Interesting concepts

This is the Japanese company Suzuki's new biplane concept, showcased at the same auto show where the small car Nano was unveiled. It was first shown at the Tokyo Auto Show last year.

Suzuki Biplane Concept

The Suzuki Biplane concept uses a semi-exposed V4 engine for power, and a girder-type front end, similar to that found on the Confederate Wraith, for steering and front suspension. The partly covered rear wheel and flush seat-to-tank design is similar to those found on the 1986 Suzuki Nuda concept bike.

An Indian off-road vehicle, the M&M-SUV.

Interestingly another small car was launched at the same show as the Nano. This was the Bajaj Auto small car:

Bajaj Auto , India’s second-largest motorcycle maker, on Tuesday unveiled its concept small car that will be launched in a partnership with Renault and Nissan.
The vehicle, expected to be priced at around $3,000, will launch within the next four years. Bajaj will develop both diesel and gasoline engines for the vehicle at its plant near the western city of Pune, which will have an initial capacity to manufacture 250,000 auto units. The company is looking at exporting the vehicle...

While traffic on city roads is already spilling over, vehicle manufacturers are betting that the primary demand for small cars will come from tiny cities and even villages, which aren’t as crowded. Bajaj Auto’s unveiling ceremony comes ahead of Tata Motors launch of its small car this week.

An attractive Asian girl showcases the interesting Plastic Hyundai QarmaQ. This car was first displayed at the Geneva Auto Show, made of recyclable plastic, another interesting concept from an automaker doing its bit for the environment:

The advanced technology development vehicle (ATDV) uses high-performance composites and thermoplastics extensively to replace components traditionally manufactured from metal, glass, and thermosets. As well as the Elastic Front®, they appear in the exterior, interior, lighting systems, and underhood.

The Elastic Front® requires no airbags or mechanical pop-up hydraulics; it uses the inherent properties of plastic materials. Energy-absorbing structures and the natural properties of the plastics are seamlessly integrated into the futuristic styling of the vehicle. Different impact zones on the car correlate to the various areas of a pedestrian’s body likely to be contacted in a collision.

Among the benefits is a weight reduction of up to 60kg that can offer an average fuel savings of up to 80 litres/year, plus the ability to create complex, 3D shapes.

Components are derived from 85 percent post-consumer plastic waste, each QarmaQ helping divert close to 900 PET plastic bottles from potential landfill.